Manila Ransomed:
The British Assault on Manila in the Seven Years War

Nicholas Tracy

The British had conceived a bold plan to attack Manila even before
Spain's entry into the Seven Years war in January 1762. Their execution
of that demonstrated their naval ascendancy and military prowess, but
the aftermath highlighted the problems inherent in government through
the East India Company.

The inspiration for the attack was as much dreams of loot as plans for
commercial advantage or geopolitical advantage, and the expedition
received limited support from the East India Company. But General
William Draper and Vice Admiral Samuel Cornish managed to assemble in
Madras a force of around 1750 soldiers (the 79th regiment, sepoys, and
French deserters and other assorted troops), eight ships of the line,
three frigates, and four store ships. Despite problems with elderly
ships and the dangers of largely uncharted waters, all but two store
ships arrived in Manila Bay on 23rd September 1762.

An immediate attack was a success. A landing south of Manila was followed
by a bombardment and an assault, leading to a capitulation by October 7th.
Acting governor Archbishop Antonio Rojo provided uninspiring leadership
and surrendered the citadel and the port of Cavite as soon as the
city fell.

The occupation was far less successful. Captain General Don Simon
Anda mobilised resistance and prevented the British establishing more
than temporary control outside Manila, the attempt to seize the silver
galleon from Mexico failed, and commercial prospects proved illusory.
Severe disagreements between autocratic East India Company governor
Dawsonne Drake and the military commanders who replaced Draper and Cornish
prevented either negotiations with Anda or effective military action.
Dramatic conflicts within the British leadership continued even after the
arrival of details of the Peace of Paris and orders to withdraw, and the
successful evacuation to Madras and Batavia was an epic in its own right.

Tracy covers these events from a British perspective, with Spanish
sources really only used for their information about the British leaders
and their actions. So those primarily interested in Philippine history
may find Manila Ransomed frustrating. It is a fascinating story,
however, and it illustrates the professionalism and experience of the
British military (a tendency for naval commanders to trade in opium on
the side notwithstanding) and the problems of colonial government.

A final chapter follows the aftermath of the attack in Britain.
Draper was knighted and Cornish received a baronetcy, while Drake was
censured by the Company, and there was the usual squabbling over the
distribution of prize money. British claims for payment of a ransom
promised when Manila capitulated persisted for years and played a role in
Anglo-Spanish relations; this linked the conquest of Manila to conflicts
over the Falkland Islands and British expansion into the Pacific.